When you walk around the streets of Melbourne, it's impossible not to imagine the past. Seeing the wonderfully preserved facades of Collins Street, it’s easy to envision yourself back in the 1930s. But what was life really like back then?

In this episode, we're joined by Kylie Best, a librarian at State Library Victoria. Kylie wrote about 1930s Melbourne based on a series of seven mysterious portraits by photographer Eric Rowell for the Library’s blog. After some digging, Kylie uncovered the incredible stories of some of these colourful characters.

When you walk around the streets of Melbourne, it's impossible not to imagine the past. Seeing the wonderfully preserved facades of Collins Street, it’s easy to envision yourself back in the 1930s. But what was life really like back then?
In this episode, we're joined by Kylie Best, a librarian at State Library Victoria. Kylie wrote about 1930s Melbourne based on a series of seven mysterious portraits by photographer Eric Rowell for the Library’s blog. After some digging, Kylie uncovered the incredible stories of some of these colourful characters.

The Chapters is a show from State Library Victoria all about the incredible stories of some of Victoria's unsung trailblazers.

The Chapters is a show from State Library Victoria all about the incredible stories of some of Victoria's unsung trailblazers.

The Chapters

Humans of 1930s Melbourne

Australia is known for trailblazers like Burke and Wills, who crossed Australia from bottom to top. Or for the many people for whom rooms are named at the State Library Victoria, like Charles La Trobe, or Ian Potter. One name that may not come to mind, but absolutely should, is Alice Anderson. A business-savvy pioneer for women in Victoria, Alice turned a touring car into Australia's first garage run by and for women.

In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Matthews, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria, and an Alice Anderson expert. Sarah wrote an amazing article on Alice for the State Library website, so in this episode, she'll share the incredible story of Miss Anderson and her motor service.

Australia is known for trailblazers like Burke and Wills, who crossed Australia from bottom to top. Or for the many people for whom rooms are named at the State Library Victoria, like Charles La Trobe, or Ian Potter. One name that may not come to mind, but absolutely should, is Alice Anderson. A business-savvy pioneer for women in Victoria, Alice turned a touring car into Australia's first garage run by and for women.
In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Matthews, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria, and an Alice Anderson expert. Sarah wrote an amazing article on Alice for the State Library website, so in this episode, she'll share the incredible story of Miss Anderson and her motor service.

Miss Anderson’s motor service

Melbourne is an ever-changing city, constantly growing and innovating. This is typically for the best until people are left behind, displaced or marginalised and invisible to society. But they weren't invisible to Alan K Jordan, a social worker and photographer, who used his camera as a tool to document the lives and struggles of those experiencing poverty and homelessness.

In this episode, we're joined by Susan Long, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria. Susan has a passion for art and the social impact of photography, so she's particularly drawn to Alan's work. She'll share who Alan was, and how he used his camera to reveal the hidden history of Melbourne.

Melbourne is an ever-changing city, constantly growing and innovating. This is typically for the best until people are left behind, displaced or marginalised and invisible to society. But they weren't invisible to Alan K Jordan, a social worker and photographer, who used his camera as a tool to document the lives and struggles of those experiencing poverty and homelessness.
In this episode, we're joined by Susan Long, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria. Susan has a passion for art and the social impact of photography, so she's particularly drawn to Alan's work. She'll share who Alan was, and how he used his camera to reveal the hidden history of Melbourne.

Melbourne’s hidden history of the 60s and 70s

As surprising as it may seem, it was only in 1908 that women were given the right to vote in Victoria. Before that, women had no say in how their state was run and they couldn't stand for office, so they fought for decades to change that. But not everyone waited for the law to change — Fanny Finch, an immigrant from London making ends meet despite her deadbeat husband, took matters into her own hands, and voted anyway.

In this episode, Ana-Maria Traian, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria, joins us to share the story of Fanny and her remarkable life. Ana wrote a fantastic blog about Fanny on the Library website, and in today's episode, she'll explore the story behind what led Mrs Fanny Finch to take a stand.

As surprising as it may seem, it was only in 1908 that women were given the right to vote in Victoria. Before that, women had no say in how their state was run and they couldn't stand for office, so they fought for decades to change that. But not everyone waited for the law to change — Fanny Finch, an immigrant from London making ends meet despite her deadbeat husband, took matters into her own hands, and voted anyway.
In this episode, Ana-Maria Traian, one of the Librarians at State Library Victoria, joins us to share the story of Fanny and her remarkable life. Ana wrote a fantastic blog about Fanny on the Library website, and in today's episode, she'll explore the story behind what led Mrs Fanny Finch to take a stand.

Humans of 1930s Melbourne

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